AUGUSTA, GA. – The City of Augusta has confirmed that Hawthorne Welcher, the director of the Housing and Community Development Department, has been placed on paid administrative leave. The decision, made during a legal session on April 1st, just ahead of the highly anticipated Masters Week, comes amid reports of “compliance issues” within the department.

Welcher, who has held the director position since July 2015, has been with the department since 2008. Prior to his tenure in Augusta, he spent a decade working with the Aiken Housing Authority.

According to District 6 Commissioner Tony Lewis, the decision to place Welcher on leave was made following preliminary findings of compliance concerns that were not adequately addressed. Lewis emphasized that the move was intended to ensure a fair process for all parties involved while allowing time for a thorough investigation into the matter.

“Director Welcher was placed on administrative leave until further notice based upon some preliminary findings of some compliance that we discovered that were not followed,” said Commissioner Lewis. “We wanted to make sure that we gave him a fair chance for us getting together to get what we need, that way it wouldn’t put him in a bad position.”

Although some sources suggest the mayor’s office initiated the move, Lewis stated that the decision was a collective one, with all commissioners agreeing that further investigation was necessary.

The timing of the decision, just days before the prestigious Masters Tournament, has raised questions about the impact on city operations, but Lewis reassured the public that the goal was to address the issue with fairness and transparency.

Welcher’s leadership was last publicly noted nearly a year ago when the city held a groundbreaking ceremony for The Lenox, a new affordable housing project. Despite the ongoing investigation, Lewis expressed satisfaction with Welcher’s overall performance in his role.

“Absolutely. I can say that I’ve been satisfied with the job that he and his office have been doing,” Lewis remarked.

Details about the specific nature of the compliance concerns remain unclear, and city officials are continuing to work on gathering more information. Mayor Garnett Johnson was approached for comment but declined to provide further insight into the situation.

As the investigation unfolds, Augusta residents and city leaders alike will be watching closely to see what, if any, further actions will be taken regarding Welcher’s position.